Allie M. Bush has joined the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce as public policy coordinator. Bush previously served as policy advisor in the Michigan House Republican Policy Office, covering issues pertaining to local government, tourism and the general government budget. Bush will work on education and tax policy, monitor legislation that affects GRACC membership, assist in organizing advocacy events, draft and communicate GRACC positions and advocate for the West Michigan business community.

ACCOUNTING

Hungerford, Aldrin, Nichols & Carter PC announced the additions of certified public accountants Neha Mittal, Jenn Rogell and Robert Roper.

Varnum personal injury attorney Richard L. Halpert is the recipient of the 2013 Alan and Delwyn Breslau Award from the Grand Rapids-based Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, a national nonprofit dedicated to empowering those affected by a burn injury.

West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum announced two recipients of scholarships from its annual golf outing, which gives $5,000 to junior, senior or master’s level students who have demonstrated effective integration of sustainability into their discipline and are promoting sustainability. This year’s recipients are Amanda Klein, Kendall College of Art & Design, and Lucas Timmer, Calvin College.

BANKING

The Economic Development Foundation has awarded Tom Bissett, vice president and commercial banker at Macatawa Bank, the West Michigan Lender of the Year Award. Bissett funded four projects for a total of $2,196,000 in U.S. Small Business Administration 504 Loan debentures for fiscal year 2013.

Founders Bank & Trust announced the addition of Toni Sherman, client services officer. She will lead customer service and operations at the Wilson Avenue branch in Grandville.

Tom Gabl has joined Independent Bank as a residential loan officer. He is responsible for originating mortgages and consumer loans for Kent and Muskegon counties. Gabi will work from the Sparta office, 525 S. State St.

BUSINESS SERVICES

West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce announced its new address is 1167 Madison Ave. SE, Suite 102.

EDUCATION

Aquinas College Alumni Relations Department won a 2013 CASE Circle of Excellence Silver Award in the Programming for Special Constituencies category for its AQ Date Night 2013.

Tim Detwiler, Cornerstone University dean of institutional effectiveness and professor of communication arts, was selected secretary of the Assessment Division of the National Communication Association. He also was elected to serve on the Kent Intermediate Association of School Boards board of directors until 2016.

Metro Health Hospital has received a top grade for surgery safety from Consumer Reports, the only hospital in West Michigan and one of seven in the state to receive the highest mark, in the annual Safer Surgery Guide.

HUMAN SERVICES

City on a Hill Ministries announced Ben Beversluis has been appointed to development coordinator to support the Zeeland organization’s continuing growth. Beversluis will be responsible for sharing the story of City on a Hill and reaching out to the community on behalf of the Christian ministry.

INSURANCE

As part of CHS Inc., the Hamilton Farm Bureau board of directors has elected to use the CHS name, effective Sept. 1.

LEGAL

Julie Lam, an attorney with Warner Norcross & Judd LLP, has been selected for the Inforum Executive Leadership Program. She will be among 32 business professional, nonprofit executives and government leaders to participate in the four-month program.

Justin M. Crawford has joined Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP as a partner in the firm’s corporate department and will be located in the firm’s Kalamazoo office.

Rhoades McKee announced the addition of Pamela S. Kisner as a paralegal. A registered nurse with 25 years of experience, Kisner will assist the insurance defense team with medical document review and technical research. The law firm also announced Mark E. Fatum has been named Best Lawyers’ 2014 Grand Rapids Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants Lawyer of the Year; Bruce W. Neckers was named Bet-the-Company Litigation Lawyer of the Year; and Arthur C. Spalding has been named the Litigation – Real Estate Lawyer of the Year.

Perrigo announced the promotion of Amanda Carter to operations management trainee for the tablet packaging team, and the addition of David Kissel, production engineer, both at its Allegan location.

RHM Fluid Power, 1550 Gezon Parkway SW, Wyoming, has been acquired by Flodraulic Group Inc., located in Indianapolis. RHM operations in Detroit and Grand Rapids will retain the RHM name and logo.

RELIGION

Most Rev. David J. Walkowiak, bishop of Grand Rapids, announced Terry Walsh will succeed Deborah J. Nykamp as president/CEO of Catholic Charities West Michigan.

SCIENCE & RESEARCH

Van Andel Institute announced a study could lead to the development of tools to improve the diagnosis of precancerous cysts in the pancreas.

SPORTS

West Michigan Sports Commission and Grand Rapids Rowing Association announced they submitted the winning bid to have Grand Rapids serve as the host city of the first national USRowing Masters National Championships along the Grand River. The event will take place Aug. 14-17, 2014, at Riverside Park, 2001 Monroe Ave. NE.

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Since 1983, the Grand Rapids Business Journal has been West Michigan's primary and most-trusted source of local business news. The weekly print edition of the Business Journal, a must-read for the area’s top decision-makers, is known as the business newspaper of metro Grand Rapids, Holland, Muskegon and all of West Michigan.

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